Crosstrek

Make
Subaru
Segment
SUV

Being a gearhead isn't something you can limit to men or women, kids or adults, or even human beings. Our furry friends love cars, too, though not quite in the same way as we do. For our canine counterparts, they're a means of getting to the park for a walk or going out on some adventure on the weekends.

So in the world of cars and canines, which are the best cars for dogs? We found the top 10 cars for dog owners and their owners and the many excursions they might go on together. These are the best of the best for the barking mad.

UPDATE: This article was originally published in 2018 but has been updated in June 2023 to reflect the list of available cars on sale.

1. Subaru Crosstrek

It's the cheapest of the lot on this list, but the Subaru Crosstrek has been proving itself as an exceptional adventure vehicle for three generations now.

It's the perfect vehicle to go in search of an adventure - be it the local dog park or hiking through the great outdoors with man's best friend in tow. With the rear seats dropped, there's up just over 60 cubic feet worth of dog volume - which is below the segment average, so the Crosstrek might best be reserved for the medium-sized Labradoodles rather than the Great Danes of the world.

2. Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is potentially the ultimate off-roader - particularly in short wheelbase for maximum break-over ability. But it's also the ultimate wind-in-your-hair kind of vehicle - remove the roof, remove the doors, and you're good to go for an open-air adventure that would get any doggy tongue wagging. This alone makes it one of the best cars for dogs.

But the Wrangler is good for more than just open air and getting to the most remote places. It's also rugged, outside and in - the cloth seats are durable and resistant to dirt, and the rubber matting is immune to dog-prone dirt. Better still, when things get dirty, you can wash the Wrangler out with a hose, and the plugs in the floor will help drain it all.

3. Volvo V90 Cross Country

The Volvo XC90 might be the ultra-spacious 7-seat SUV topping the Volvo line-up, but its high load sill makes it less than ideal for our four-legged friends to climb out of, and more specifically, into.

The Volvo V90 Cross Country, however, is perfect for the job. It boasts just about all the spaciousness of the XC90 but in a package that's lower, easier to climb in and out of, and complete with rugged body cladding that's resistant to pooch-related scratches. The Volvo safety technologies - including pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection - ensure that the V90 Cross Country can keep canines safe both inside and outside.

4. Land Rover Discovery

The Disco may not be the most reliable SUV in town, but Land Rover started introducing dog-friendly accessories for its vehicles back in 2018. These days cars with dog-friendly features are a dime a dozen, and it all started with Land Rover.

These accessories are available for most of the range, but we include the Discovery because it's the best all-around vehicle that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's also the best vehicle for Great Danes and one of the best cars for big dogs.

If you have the cash, the new 2023 Range Rover is totally worth it. If you don't need the off-road ability, the Range Rover Velar is where it's at.

5. Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester in all its previous iterations has been a deserving chariot of man and his best friend, capable of going on great outdoor excursions, rugged enough to stand the test of time, and built with a basic enough interior to survive all canine antics. But the 2019 model year and onward one-ups all those that have come before. It also received a significant facelift in 2022, making it better than ever. We're especially fond of the Wilderness trim.

With the rear seats folded, it boasts 76.1 cubic feet and a high roof. The tailgate opening is large, and crucially, the cargo bay floor and sides are made of a new dirt-resistant, scuff-resistant, easily cleanable material to ensure no matter how dirty your canine's adventures are, the mess is always easily dealt with.

6. Volvo V60

The Volvo V60 has predictably been a slow seller, given how allergic Americans are to wagons. But that doesn't mean it's not ideal for dogs. It might even be better for smaller dogs, as it sits lower to the ground than the previously mentioned V90 Cross Country.

The V60 is only available in plug-in hybrid Recharge guise, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. It can also travel up to 41 miles on electricity alone.

Big trunk volume is a given when it comes to station wagons, and the V60 has space in abundance. You can load the family's luggage and the dog. There's enough space for the whole family with pets in tow, and the high lifting tailgate and wide loading aperture make it easy for the pooches to hop in and out easily. Add the same safety features as the V90 Cross Country, and it's a safe option for all.

7. Tesla Model 3

So you've shifted to electric vehicles, which are already good cars for dog owners. If you have a dog that doesn't like driving around, they'll undoubtedly love the silence. The Model 3 also has a 20 cubic feet trunk, which is perfectly fine for a couple of small dogs. The view from the trunk could be better, but you can put your pup in the back seat if you are okay with the mess. Just don't go for an all-white interior.

Tesla also introduced "Dog Mode" via an over-the-air update in 2019. Basically, the car keeps the interior temperature comfortable, and it lets passersby know that the dogs are OK. So you won't come out of the store after grabbing a few things only to find your window smashed.

Ford filed a patent for Pet Mode in 2022, but we're still waiting for this update to be unveiled.

8. Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival is a new breed of minivan that you wouldn't be ashamed to be seen in. Unlike the other minivan on this list, Kia made some effort with the design, trying to incorporate a bit of SUV-like ruggedness, and it works.

Kia's Carnival is perfect for a big family with big dogs. It can easily accommodate seven or eight people depending on the configuration. It also boasts best-in-class passenger space with 168 cubic feet.

But we're here for the dogs; they're even better off. With all three rows in place, the Carnival still has 40.2 cubes of space in the trunk. The trunk is quite deep, which should help the dog find their footing. Large side mirrors and an almost flat rear windscreen will give your dogs an unobstructed view of the outside. All the glass from the first row backward is tinted, keeping everyone calm and happy.

9. Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V might be the best SUV for dogs and owners. It hits all the right targets a modern SUV should. It's good-looking, safe, economical, and has a large trunk for dogs. Unfortunately, the plug-in hybrid model is not available in the States yet.

It has a large trunk, which is easily accessible thanks to a low sill. The rest of the car is basic Honda, so it will last a lifetime, and your dogs will have a tough time destroying it. Thanks to Honda 800-hp Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer, this SUV is also much cooler than it used to be.

10. Chrysler Pacifica

What's a mommy-wagon doing on here? Simple - space and easy access are two prime needs for a dog-carrying vehicle, two things the Pacifica has in abundance.

Fido can hop in easily either through the rear tailgate or through the side doors that slide open to avoid the potential for mishaps such as slammed doors on tails or overexcited pooches crashing into the armrests. Also, to the Pacifica's credit, the low floor - much lower than the standard SUV height, makes it easier for smaller dogs or less effort for larger ones to get in and out.

There's even a hybrid version if you feel like saving gas and the environment on your way to puppy classes.

Bonus for the Speed Freaks: Audi RS6 Avant

For as long as there have been fast family wagons, there's been a standing joke that the kids will never be late for school again. But family wagons have always had the benefit of being able to ferry the whole family and the dogs to boot.

It stands to reason that the fast family wagon ensures the dogs will never be late for puppy classes again. Now that the Mercedes-AMG E 63 has gone out of production, few fast wagons are left. You can get a Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, but the dogs might feel cramped in the back. An M3 Wagon would be perfect, but BMW is only sending one unit to America.

The most obvious solution is the Audi RS6 Avant, which might be the most sinister-looking wagon ever built. Thanks to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which develops a potent 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the RS6 can deliver on all the promises the body makes.

Behind the rear seats, you'll find 30 cubic feet of space, which is enough for a designer Labradoodle and the weekly shopping. As far as we can see, the only issue is keeping the slobber away from the various Alcantara trim in the cabin.